Talon Abilities, Build, Runes & Guides in LOL

When anyone thinks of assassins in League of Legends they often think of Zed, Katarina, and Akali, but Talon is actually one of the best that goes under the radar quite a lot. With the amount of mobility he has, he can easily get around the map and assassinate almost anyone in the game that he needs to.

A lot of the skill with Talon doesn't come from mastering his relatively simple kit, it actually comes from decision-making such as when to roam, and where to go on the map. 

Here's the champion's kit and how to play him. 

Passive: Blade’s End

Talon innately applies a stack of ‘Wound’ to enemy champions and large monsters he hits with a basic attack or auto attack for six seconds. The stacks are refreshed whenever he hits them with either of these again and they stack up to three times.

Talon's next basic attack against an enemy with three stacks of "Wound" already on them becomes empowered and consumes all of the stacks. This causes the enemy to then bleed out of up to 280 physical damage plus 210% of his bonus AD over 2 seconds.  

This is increased to 110% of this damage against Monsters, but whilst the target is bleeding they cannot gain another stack of "Wound." 

Q: Noxian Diplomacy 

Talon launches himself at the target enemy dealing up to 145 physical damage plus 100% of his bonus AD. If Talon is casting this ability whilst he is close to the target he stabs the target with his blade rather than launching himself.

Stab is a critical strike for 150% of his bonus physical damage. This ability also gains 75 bonus attack range for his next basic attack within one second.

If this ability kills the target Talon heals for up to 55 HP based on his level and the cooldown of this ability is reduced by 50%. This ability also works as an auto attack reset and Talon's Ultimate, Shadow Assault, can be cast during the dash.

W: Rake

Talon launches a fan of daggers in a cone in front of him that deals up to 80 physical damage plus 40% of his bonus ad to any enemy they hit.

Once they reach their Max range they linger for just under a second before coming back dealing up to 170 physical damage plus 80% of Talon's bonus ad and slowing enemies by up to 60% for one second.

E: Assassin’s Path

Talon jumps and launches himself over select target areas of terrain which allows him to have insane mobility to get around the map, using paths the other champions would not have access to. Terrain cooldown for Talon's E is between 160 and 60 seconds.

Once Talon launches himself over a select area of terrain that piece of terrain goes on cooldown for between 160 seconds and 60 seconds based on the level of this ability. Talon can also cast his Ultimate, Shadow Assault during this ability. 

R: Shadow Assault 

The active of this ability has Talon launch a ring of blades around him, dealing up to 180 physical damage plus 100% of his bonus AD, which lingers for 2.5 seconds.

Whilst these blades are lingering Talon gains invisibility and bonus movement speed of up to 70%, meaning he can run around invisible!

After one second Talon can recast this ability to pull the blades back towards him to deal the same amount of physical damage whenever he breaks this stealth. If Talon breaks the stealth with a basic attack or his Q, Noxian Diplomacy, all of these blades will converge on that target instead.

When was Talon released in League of Legends?

Talon was released onto the Rift in Patch V1.0.0.124, which was on August 24 2011. This was in the period when Riot Games were releasing champions alongside two debut skins, and for Talon, they were Renegade Talon and Crimson Elite Talon.

This patch coincidentally was the patch that PAX 2011 was played on, and PAX Sivir was released for this one Patch only.

Where is Talon from in League of Legends?

Talon comes from Noxus Prime in Noxus, but he is currently residing somewhere in Shurima. We find it quite fitting that we currently do not know the exact whereabouts of the assassin in the League of Legends lore setting!

Talon’s Age in League of Legends

Talon was born between 972 AN and 976 AN, which means he is between 21 and 25 years of age -  a lot younger than we thought! 

Talon Build and Runes

For Talon's runes, you want to take the Domination tree as your first rune tree, and then follow it up with the Sorcery tree.

Domination:

• Electrocute
• Sudden Impact
• Eyeball Collection
• Relentless Hunter

Sorcery: 

• Nimbus Cloak
• Absolute Focus

Rune Stats:

• Adaptive Damage
• Adaptive Damage
• Health

In terms of items, you want to build Youmuu's Ghostblade, into Profane Hydra and Edge of Night as your first three items. Then follow these up with Black Cleaver, Serylda's Grudge and Sundered Sky.

Talon’s Voice Actor in League of Legends

Talon is voiced by Travis Willingham in both League of Legends and Legends of Runeterra, and his voice actor also voices Azir in League of Legends - both champions who are currently residing somewhere in Shurima!

Is Talon Katarina’s brother?

Talon and Katarina are not real siblings, but they share a strong connection. Talon grew up alone on the streets of Noxus. He survived by fighting and stealing. One day, General Du Couteau caught him. Instead of killing Talon, he gave him a choice, join his house or die. Talon joined the Du Couteau family and trained under the general. He grew close to Katarina over time. They trained and fought together. Many players see them as siblings, but Riot never confirmed it in the lore.

Is Talon good mid lane?

Talon works well in mid lane because he moves fast, clears waves quickly, and kills enemies fast. He fits aggressive playstyles and can help other lanes often.

• Quick roams: Talon uses his wall jump to reach top or bot lane faster than most champions.
• Strong burst: His full combo deals high damage to squishy enemies.
• Fast wave clear: Talon pushes lanes fast with his W, which lets him leave lane quickly